He also took time at the end of January 1861 to travel to Coles County, Illinois, to visit his father's grave and to see his stepmother, with whom he had an excellent relationship. He had always referred to her as "Mother" in his letters and he wrote of her - "she proved a good and kind mother."

Back in Springfield, the Lincoln family packed their belongings and made arrangements to rent out their home during their absence.

When finally packed, Lincoln wrapped the trunks and wrote on them, "A. Lincoln, The White House, Washington, D.C."

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